Q&A with John J. Domont

John J. Domont is a painte

John J. Domont is a painter whose landscapes capture the unexpectedly hallucinogenic qualities of Indiana farms and fields. He is also owner of the Domont Studio Gallery. On view at the gallery through March 13 is Group Show, featuring work by Domont, James Wille Faust, Harry Davis, Lois Davis, Sam Sartorius, Sandra Falcone, Red Rohall, Magdelena Segovia, Nhat Tran, Brian Myers, Irina Koronova and fine woodwork pieces.

Q: What are you reading now.

A: I am reading several books. The Woman With The Alabaster Jar as recommended by Dorit Paul (now there is a woman with an accomplished reading list!). It is further exploration into Mary Magdalene and the Holy Grail story. Also I am enjoying Chicano Visions by Cheech Marin ... hey what a gift he and the Indiana State Museum have brought our way. Lastly, I Don’t Want To Talk About It by Terrence Real. Its subtitle is “overcoming the secret of male depression.” Our best moves and honest risks mean open our mouths!

Q: What do you like about the Indianapolis arts scene?

A: The people in the arts community themselves. They are a sincere bunch of folks balancing the desire to express inspiration, guide the community and make a buck all at the same time.

Q: What don’t you like?

A: The trouble with power is that it gets so busy protecting itself. The world is locked in fear, shut off from its wholeness because the left brain is too afraid to open to what it doesn’t understand and can’t control. For example, have you seen the new airport design? Welcome to the world of the Clorox nation, high-tech city with no room for a soul … we were sold out! Q:Drug of choice? A: I am sorry, I didn’t understand the question.

Q:Who’s your favorite politician?

A: Locally, I think Joe Kernan is bright, sincere, acclimated. He understands people and leadership.

Q: What’s the hardest thing about what you do?

A: Balance. I am an artist, running my gallery is a second full-time career.

Q: Your favorite TV commercial at the moment?

A: The Pepsi (thanks, Dad!) commercial with a young Jimi Hendrix choosing instruments between two music stores, one a guitar shop, the other an accordion store.

Q: Three people (living or dead) you would invite to dinner.

A: Bob Dylan, Rumi the 13th century mystic poet and Van Gogh ... could you imagine three great mystics at one table? Marlene Dietrich would be on the bubble!

Q: Can love be pornographic?

A: Anything can be twisted, like the Buddhists say, the intention of any act will determine its outcome and your fate.

Domont Studio Gallery is at 545 S. East St. Regular gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and by appointment. Phone: 685-9634 or go to the Web: DomontGallery.com.